It was reported that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

﴿وَالصَّـفَّـتِ صَفَّا ﴾

"(By those ranged in ranks.) -- they are the angels;

﴿فَالزَجِرَتِ زَجْراً ﴾

(By those who drive the clouds in a good way. ) they are the angels;

﴿فَالتَّـلِيَـتِ ذِكْراً ﴾

(By those who bring the Dhikr.) they are the angels.'' This was also the view of Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, Masruq, Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Ikrimah, Mujahid, As-Suddi, Qatadah and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas. Qatadah said, "The angels form ranks in the heavens.'' Muslim recorded that Hudhayfah, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

«فُضِّلْنَا عَلَى النَّاسِ بِثَلَاثٍ: جُعِلَتْ صُفُوفُنَا كَصُفُوفِ الْمَلَائِكَةِ، وَجُعِلَتْ لَنَا الْأَرْضُ كُلُّهَا مَسْجِدًا، وَجُعِلَ لَنَا تُرَابُهَا طَهُورًا، إِذَا لَمْ نَجِدِ الْمَاء»

(We have been favored over the rest of mankind in three ways: our ranks have been made like the ranks of the angels; the entire earth has been made a Masjid for us; and its soil has been made a means of purification for us if we cannot find water.)'' Muslim, Abu Dawud, An-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah recorded that Jabir bin Samurah, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

«أَلَا تَصُفُّونَ كَمَا تَصُفُّ الْمَلَائِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ؟»

(Will you not form ranks as the angels form ranks in the presence of their Lord) We said, `How do the angels form ranks in the presence of their Lord' He said:

«يُتِمُّونَ الصُّفُوفَ الْمُتَقَدِّمَةَ، وَيَتَرَاصُّونَ فِي الصَّف»

(They complete the rows nearer the front and they consolidate the rows. )'' As-Suddi and others said that the Ayah

﴿فَالزَجِرَتِ زَجْراً ﴾

(By those who drive the clouds in a good way. ) means that they drive the clouds.

﴿فَالتَّـلِيَـتِ ذِكْراً ﴾

(By those who bring the Dhikr.) As-Suddi said, "The angels bring the Scriptures and the Qur'an from Allah to mankind.''